Pitmedden Garden

It’s hard to imagine a garden today being planted on such an extravagant scale. The heart of the property is the formal walled garden originally laid out in 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. In the 1950s, the Trust set about re-creating the gardens following designs dating from the 17th century. Today, Pitmedden features over 5 miles of box hedging arranged in intricate patterns to form six parterres. These parterres are filled with some 40,000 plants bursting with colour in the summer months.

Extensive herbaceous borders provide an abundance of colour and texture throughout the season and the spectacular lupin border is not to be missed. Two new borders were added in 2004. Honeysuckle, jasmine and roses create a succession of fragrances, while fountains, topiary, sundials and a fascinating herb garden add to the sense of discovery around the walled garden. If you’re a keen gardener, Pitmedden is a great source of inspiration and ideas.

Over 80 varieties of apple trees adorn the high granite walls, offering a spectacular show of blossom and scent in spring. On the last Sunday in September we hold harvest celebrations with dancing and music, and you can buy fruits harvested from the gardens.

The adjacent Museum of Farming Life boasts an extensive collection of domestic and agricultural artefacts of a bygone era. For the more adventurous, the woodland walk extends for a mile and a half round the estate and takes in ponds, rhododendrons, a lime kiln and a nature hut with information about the wider estate. The picnic area is an ideal spot to stop for lunch, and you can even enjoy a game of boules on our own pétanque piste.

Acquisition detailsGiven with an endowment by Major James Keith in 1952. Collection of the Museum of Farming Life given by the Trustees of William Cook of Little Meldrum, Tarves in 1978, together with a pecuniary legacy